This thread is fascinating to read. I love reading the diversity of opinion expressed here. Focusing on turntables and cartridges for me and those of us who are passionate enough to hang around here is an absolute gas. We collectively are somewhat similar to flat earthers I suppose. I love that there are companies that would devote the time and resources to develop a product like the Wilson Benesche. I love that Panasonic would continue to devote the time and resources to develop ever more sophisticated turntables in the other direction. As other things seem to move toward maximum entropy, thank God for this little enterprise. You all give me hope for the future.
They should charge more for it…
The Absolute Sound magazine just elected the new Wilson Benesch GMT one turntable as their turntable of the year…and awarded it as such.
In the mini review of the table, the author writes, you know something is up when a competitor states..“ they should charge more for it”. Yet, the table under consideration is priced at a measly $302k! Yes folks, more than a quarter of a million dollars! Yet we are being lead to believe that this product is maybe underpriced?
Interesting attitudes prevailing in high end audio reviewing these days…
Perhaps it is under priced, as maybe it could sell for millions of dollars…to the right audiophile consumers? The Absolute sound reviewer, and lately most audio reviewers, seem to think that any price asked is fine, so long as the piece basically delivers the goods. Are they correct?
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In my OP, I am not implying that companies like WB should not devote time and resources ( even if they have to be somewhat publicly funded) to better and better products. Instead, I am bemused by the fact that the author of the piece in the Absolute Sound would go so far as to say that a $300K turntable could be in fact..’underpriced’! Implying that the value proposition of this product is in fact higher than what is being asked for it. While value is a subjective term, does he really believe that there is value to be had in a turntable that is priced in the $300-500K category? Remembering that a Ferrari or two ( i don’t really like to use automobiles as an example here, but they are somewhat obvious) can be had for similar money...and how many other far more complex products that one could name? |
TAS also said a Rega turntable/arm/cartridge combo was a turntable of the year. It's priced under $20k. Based on the description provided by TAS, I celebrate the WB TT. It sounds like a really good design. And if it's in line with other WB products it will be solidly built and good looking. It's expensive, but so are a lot of things these days. I actual prefer the relative simplicity of the Rega, but I'm glad there is a WB. |
@dayglow When a product is priced at such a level that it brings into focus a number of other items that are now available at the same price level, then it absolutely does invite comparison. So, while a turntable is not a super car, if it is priced at the level of a product that is significantly more complex to design, significantly more advanced in its production level/complexity and also widely sought after; then yes, it does invite comparison to said product. YMMV. |
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